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About GCH
Expertise
I CAN answer questions related to defensive use of firearms, tactics, prudent modifications of firearms, utility of certain types of firearms. My greatest knowledge is in the area of handguns.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SENDING QUESTIONS:
I CAN NOT identify antique guns or those that are old and out-of-production. I CAN NOT tell you the value of your firearms. I CAN NOT tell you the history of your guns. I CAN NOT supply information about cheap, inherently unsafe firearms (e.g. Jimenez, Jennings, Lorcin).
Experience
Primary Instructor, F2v (armed and unarmed self-defense); NRA Certified Instructor; NRA Distinguished Expert, Handgun; International Defensive Pistol Association certified Safety Officer; IDPA classified Expert, Stock Service Pistol Division; Multiple graduate, Practical Firearms Training, Tactical Carbine and Advanced Defensive Handgun; Insights Training Center, Defensive Folding Knife; Integrated Defensive Fighting Systems, Unarmed Defense and Fixed Blade Knife; Range qualified with local police department, handgun and shotgun; Kukkiwon Ildan Black Belt, ETS certified Self-Defense Instructor
Organizations
National Rifle Association, International Defensive Pistol Association, Virginia Citizens' Defense League; Integrated Defensive Fighting Systems; Personal Defense Group
Publications
Tactical Journal
Education/Credentials
Bachelor's and Master's degrees; Graduate Practical Firearms Training, Handgun levels 1, 2, and 3, and Tactical Carbine; Kukiwan certified Ildan black belt.
Awards and Honors
Multiple trophies from various tactical pistol competitions.
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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Paintball > Guns, Firearms, Projectile Weapon Sports > advice?
Expert: GCH
Date: 9/2/2008
Subject: advice?
Question
Hello, I am 25 year old man in need of some advice. I just moved to a city: Tuscaloosa, Alabama (from a small town). I feel the need to get a handgun for personal and home protection. That said what kind would you recommend? I am looking for something with a reasonable price. I don't need a 'Dirty Hairy' gun than would drop an elephant. Just something to keep me and my home safe. Are used handguns ever a safe bet? By the way, I would prefer something with a clip. Hope you can help and thank you.
Answer
Lee,
I'll start with the caveat that you should get training if you plan on keeping a gun for protection. Owning a gun no more makes one an armed defender than owning a piano makes one a musician. Today numerous schools for armed self-defense exist. Look for one in your area that teaches not merely marksmanship, but armed self-defense and the legalities and considerations that go with it.
That said, given what you are looking for, I don't think you could do any better than one of the SIG Sauer model P6 West German Police trade-ins that have recently hit the import market.
SIGs tend to be on the expensive side ($800-900), so it remarkable that these guns are going from anywhere between $299-450 depending on the condition of the finish.
Most of these guns were carried a lot but shot very little, and if you get one from a reputable shop, you should have an excellent shooter for cheaper than you could buy a new or even used Springfield XD (which are good guns that tend to be on the less expensive side).
Guns are simple machines and there is not much one can do to them to "mess them up" that wouldn't be readily apparent. As long as it comes from a reputable shop, I would have no hesitation in buying a used gun, particularly if I could get it for a better price.
The P6 has a single stack magazine, holding 8 rounds of 9mm. Given your criteria of a serviceable gun that doesn't cost much, I don't think you could do better than the P6.
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